We Want Peace Restored In Darjeeling Hills: Mamata

Kolkata: On the eve of crucial talks between the state government and major political parties from Darjeeling hills, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said her government wanted restoration of peace in the strife-hit region. “We all want restoration of peace in the Darjeeling hills,” Ms Banerjee told reporters.

Ms Banerjee had taken the initiative to call a meeting between the government and hill parties after the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) wrote to her requesting for opening a dialogue in order to resolve the crisis caused by an indefinite shutdown in support of the demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland.

According to secretariat sources, Ms Banerjee would be accompanied by the state’s chief secretary, home secretary, police chief and a couple of senior ministers at the meeting, while the Gorkhaland Movement Coordination Committee will be represented by leaders of the GNLF, GJM and other parties steering the agitation.